Pen and pencil desk set



NOV. 5, 1968 HAYES ET AL 3,409,122

PEN AND PENCIL DESK SET Filed June 8, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS THOMAS H. HAYES BY MICHAEL D.THOMAS ATTURNE Y v NOV. 5, 1968 HAYES ET AL 3,409,122

PEN AND PENCIL DESK SET Filed June 8. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS THOMAS H. HAYES Fig. 6 26 Flag. BY MICHAEL D. THOMAS ATTORNEY .Uai d S ates aw "ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE- container for a writing instrument receptacle in which a I socket member ismounted. within vthe container and spaced alignment with an aperture having a' predetermined diameter for capturing a ball portion of the writing instrument receptacle in aswiVel relationship.

This invention relates-toa box or package for writing instruments and in particular to a boxwhich maybe converted into a desk set for the instruments.

\ It isra common practice to commercially sell pens and pencils together of matching characteristics which may be used as a set. In some instances a pair of pens of either the ball type design or fountainpen type are sold. vInasmuch-Jas the purchaser usually keepsthese instruments togethenas a SBLiit is desirable to'provide him with an attractive means for preventing their loss as well aszproviding easy access tothem. Normally, the box containing the set is not built for durability andis discarded. h

The box of this inventiong in addition to being designed to display a pen and pencil seton a store counter, may also be of value to the purchaser. Upon purchase of the set, he may elect to re-use the box a platform holder or stand for pen andpencil receptacles which. are designed to receive the pen and pencil. In generaL'the box comprises two sections which are-separable to permit removal of the pen and pencil and writing instrument receptacles. The box may then be reassembled in a manner which captures the writing instrument receptacles in a swivel relationship. Thus, the box has a two-fold purpose in that it serves "as an adequate display means for the pen and pencil as well as subsequently serving as a stand for the instruments. It is apparent that such a box to be a commercially acceptable package must be kept to a minimum of easily-produced parts in order to avoid unnecessary expense. The box of this invention meets this criteria and is especially designed for plastic material and standard injection molding techniques.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a new and improved box for a pen and pencil set.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved box for a pen and pencil set which may be converted into a desk set stand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved pen and pencil desk set stand which is adapted for holding writing instruments in a swivel relationship.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent upon reading the following description in connection with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the box of this invention containing a pen and pencil set;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the box illustrating the manner in which an instrument receptacle is mounted in the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box serving as a desk set stand for a pen and pencil;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the box without the writing instruments and their receptacles;

2 1 1 5 FIG. 5.is a view in cross -sectiontaken along. line/.515 OfFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section of the box of-this invention taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 4; and FIG. 7 is a view in crosssection of a modified embodiment of the invention taken on a transverse plane similar to that of FIG. 6;

Referring to FIG. 1, the box 11 ofr-this invention is illustrated in the form in which it may. be used to distribute and display a. pen .13 and pencil 14 for purposes of sale. It is to be noted that the-box .hastwosections .15 and 16. One of the sections 15 has been made transparent inorder to display the pen and pencil, but itis to be understood that this is a matter of stylizing and-that both sections may be opaque or transparent. Although all subsequent referencewillbe topen and penciltsets, it-is to be understood that, this inventionis applicable to other writing instrument's. V a

Parting lin 18 of the box bisects a pair of apertures 19 defined by two 180 degree arcs 21 formed in one of the mating surfaces of the two sections. For a stylized effect each section may have tapered ends 23 with adjacent inclined surfaces 24. Stability of the box is maintained by providing a pair of spaced legs 26 on each section, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Each box section has a collar element 27 extending about the perimeter of its aperture areas 21. The collars are slightly tapered to provide an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter. When the two box sections are assembled, the collar halves join to form collars that fully encircle their respective apertures. Although various means may be employed to maintain the sections in an assembled position, the particular embodiment uses a butt-lap joint 28 (FIG. 6). Dimensions of the mating portions are such that the butt-lap joint elements provide a snug fit and are not accidentally separated.

Each writing instrument receptacle 31 is hollow and tapered to conform with the general exterior configuration of the instruments. A ball portion 32 is integrally formed on the tapered end of each receptacle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pen and pencil and their respective receptacles may be securely mounted within the box for display purposes by the use of an insert means 34. The insert may be formed from a plastic material with integral and somewhat flexible pairs of clips 35 designed to clamp on the pen and pencil and receptacles.

The insert is positioned within the box by means of a pair of opposed recessed flanges 37. As shown in FIG. 2, box section 15 has two relatively thin strips or partitions 38 with a pair of facing ribs 40. The insert 34 is mounted in the box with its two recessed flanges 37 seated between the ribs 40 and bottom 41 of the box section. Movement of the insert in any direction is prevented by dimensioning the ribs and partitions of the box for a close fit with the flanges of the insert. It should be emphasized that the means for securing instruments in the box are numerous and that this invention is not to be limited to any one particular design of securing means. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, clips 35 are integral with section 15.

The partitions 38 in addition to positioning the insert 34 also serve as socket members 43 for the pen and pencil receptacles. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the partitions 38 have a concave surface 44 at one corner which approximates a -degree arc. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that each socket member 43 is a radial projection of its respective aperture 19 formed by the two box sections. The socket member need not extend beyond the center of the aperture and is spaced a predetermined dimension beneath it.

When the purchaser desires to convert the box into a desk se't stand, he first separates the two sectior i's' l5 and 16 and removes the pen and pencil and their receptacles 31 from the insert. With the box sections separated the writing instrument receptacles '31 may be positioned with their ball portion ends 32 on the two socket members 43. Holding the two receptacles on their socket members, the box is then reassembled to form 'a stand, resulting in capture of the ball portion en ds of the receptacles. By properly molding the'sockets 43 in spaced alignment with the apertures 19"the receptacles may swivel on their sockets in a full 360-degree arcwithout any unnecessary freeplay.'The tapered collars 27 provide additional lateral support for the receptacles 31 and also prevent them from becoming disengaged from their socket members. Thus, the pen and pencil may be inserted into the receptacles and the desk set is completed. In the event the owner wishes to take his set with him on a trip he need merely separate the two box sections and replace the pen, pencil and receptacles in the clips 35 on the removable insert 34 and reassemble the box. The modified embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the above-described box primarily in the construction of socket member 50 which is resilient. Although resiliency in the socket is not a requisite in all instances, it will enhance the retainment of the pen receptacles ball portion 32. This resiliency feature is achieved by substantially reducing the area of contact between partition 53 and the inner surface of box section 15. By suspending partition 53 at only one end 55, the socket member 50 will be slightly deflected from its stable position when a ball portion 32 is inserted. The resiliency of the plastic material causes socket member 50 i aperture having a predetermined diameter to capture a ball sections with their juncture line intersecting said aperture, a concave socket member mounted within said hollow body and in spaced. alignment with said aperture, said aperture having predetermined diameter to capture a ball portion end-ofthe writing instrument receptacle between said aperture and said concave socket member in a swivel relationship. 1 i

2. A holder for a writing instrument receptacle oom prising a hollow body "having a surface defining an aperture, a concave socket member mounted within said hollow body and in spaced alignment with saidaperture, said concave socket member being formed from a thin strip integrally connected to a surface opposite said aperture defining surface and in radial alignment withsaid aperture, said aperture having a predetermined diameter to capture a ball portion end of the writing instrument receptacle between said aperture and said concave socket member in a swivel relationship. I t

3. A holder as defined in claim 2 in which said. aperture has an outwardly extending tapered collar about its perimeter and of a reduced diameter.

4. A holder as defined in claim 3 in which said hollow body comprises two engageable sections with their juncture line bisecting said aperture.

5. A holder as defined in claim 4 in which the concave surface of the socket member strip is a -degree arc.

6. A holder as defined in claim 1 in which the interior of said hollow body has means to removably hold a .writinginstrument and writing instrument receptacle therein. I I

7. A holder as defined in claim 4 in which said socket member strip is resiliently mounted.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,719,840 7/1929 HOrix 211-695 1,777,741 10/1930 Benson 211-695 2,666,290 1/ 1954 Kaufman 211-696 WILLIAM T. DIXON, JR., Primary Examiner.

Washington, 0.6. 20231 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,409,l22 November 5, 1968 Thomas H. Hayes et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, lines 1 and 2, cancel "having a predetermined diameter to capture a ball sections" and insert said hollow body comprises two engageable sections. line 5, after "'having" insert a Signed and sealed this 17th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer 

